Investigating the Influence of Non‐Spectral Matrix Effects in the Determination of Twenty‐Two Trace Elements in Rock Samples by ICP‐QMS

The influence of non‐spectral matrix effects on the determination of twenty‐two trace elements (Rb, Sr, Y, Cs, Ba, lanthanides, Pb, Th and U) in rock samples using ICP‐MS was investigated. Three types of multi‐element solutions were synthesised containing the twenty‐two trace elements, In, Tl and ten major rock‐forming elements with varying mass fractions mimicking the compositions of basalt, peridotite and dolomite. The synthetic solutions were conditioned to have dilution factors (DF) of 1000–10000. The extent of sensitivity suppression relative to the DF = 10000 solution became more significant for smaller DF solutions, which was not constant across different elements in a single solution but displayed general dependence on m/z. This indicates that at least two internal standards (e.g., In and Tl) are required for the correction of sensitivity variation. On the basis of the results, a new isotope dilution‐internal standardisation method for the determination of twenty‐two trace elements with ICP‐MS was developed, in which the sensitivity variation was corrected by monitoring two enriched isotopes, 113In and 203Tl. This method, coupled with the quantitative correction of interference from oxides and hydroxides, achieved precise determination of twenty‐two trace elements in some rock reference materials with reproducibilities of ±2% for basaltic to andesitic samples. Key Points The influence of non‐spectral matrix effects on the determination of twenty‐two trace elements in rock samples with ICP‐MS was investigated using three types of synthetic solutions mimicking the compositions of basalt, peridotite and dolomite. The extent of sensitivity suppression became more significant for solutions with smaller dilution factor, which was not constant across different elements in a single solution but displayed general dependence on m/z. A new isotope dilution‐internal standardisation method was developed for the determination of twenty‐two trace elements with ICP‐MS, in which the sensitivity variation is corrected by monitoring two enriched isotopes, 113In and 203Tl.